Provoke

Provoke
Keyword Ability
Type	Triggered
Introduced	Legions
Last used	Unfinity
Reminder Text	Provoke (Whenever this creature attacks, you may have target creature defending player controls untap and block it if able.)
Storm Scale	9
Statistics	9 cards 33.3% 33.3% 33.3%
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keyword:"Provoke"

Provoke is a keyword ability on creatures that allows a player to, during their declare attackers step, untap a creature the defending player controls and require that creature to block the attacking creature with provoke. The block must still be legal, e.g. a non-flying creature cannot block a flying creature even when Provoke is used on it.

History

Before provoke was keyworded, the cards Provoke (Stronghold) and Crashing Boars (Exodus) were printed with non-keyword abilities very similar to the eventual provoke ability. Cards with provoke itself were first printed in Legions a few years later. All the provoke creatures in that set have a hook element in their art.

Outside of Legions, the un-card Greater Morphling is the only other card printed with provoke. The introduction of the similar fight mechanic made the return of provoke unlikely.

Provoke was one of the non-evergreen, non-deciduous keywords included in the Unfinity sticker sheets.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Provoke

A keyword ability that can force a creature to block. See rule 702.39, “Provoke.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

• 702.39. Provoke
  • 702.39a Provoke is a triggered ability. “Provoke” means “Whenever this creature attacks, you may choose to have target creature defending player controls block this creature this combat if able. If you do, untap that creature.”
  • 702.39b If a creature has multiple instances of provoke, each triggers separately.

Rulings

• There's no requirement for the provoked creature to be tapped or to be able to block.
• You can choose not to force the creature to block, in which case it won't untap.
• If the provoked creature becomes tapped before the declare blockers step, it won't be able to block.
• If a creature is provoked by more than one creature, the controller of the provoked creature chooses which one it blocks.
• If the provoked creature has any costs to block, those costs don't have to be paid. If the costs are paid, the provoked creature must block the creature with provoke.

Examples

Example

Krosan Vorine
Creature — Cat Beast
3/2
Provoke (Whenever this creature attacks, you may have target creature defending player controls untap and block it if able.)
Krosan Vorine can't be blocked by more than one creature.

Cards that grants Provoke

Creature

• Hunter Sliver (all Slivers)

Sticker

• Squishy Sphinx Ninja

Provoke cards before the keyword ability

• Crashing Boars from Exodus
• Provoke from Stronghold